Calcined Clam Shell Powder (Cyclina Sinensis)

Calcined Clam Shell Powder (Cyclina sinensis) is the finely milled, high-heat–processed shell of the Cyclina clam, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Duàn Gé Qiāo (煅蛤壳). Through calcination, the shell becomes more brittle, more absorbent, and more effective at anchoring yang, softening hardness, and neutralizing acidity. Its energetic nature is salty, astringent, and cool, making it especially useful for subduing upward-rising qi, easing irritability, reducing heat, and calming internal agitation.

In TCM, calcined clam shell enters the Liver and Kidney channels, where it helps anchor floating yang, alleviate dizziness, tinnitus, palpitations, and restlessness, and support conditions marked by yin deficiency with heat rising. Its mineral-rich structure gives it a steady, grounding quality, allowing it to calm the spirit, ease anxiety-like tension, and soothe discomfort from internal heat or irritability.

Duàn Gé Qiāo is also traditionally used to soften hardness, making it supportive for lumps, nodules, swollen glands, and phlegm-heat accumulations, especially in the neck or chest region. Its alkaline nature allows it to neutralize acid, which can help relieve stomach acidity, sour regurgitation, and discomfort from Stomach heat.

In folk practice, clam shell powder is incorporated into cooling mineral blends, external pastes, and internal decoctions to help calm heat, settle the nerves, dry dampness, and reduce swelling. Calcination enhances these actions by removing moisture and increasing brittleness, which improves absorption and potency when decocted.

Modern mineral analyses show that Cyclina sinensis shells contain calcium carbonate, magnesium, and trace minerals, contributing to acid-neutralizing, anti-inflammatory, and sedative-like properties. Studies also confirm grounding effects consistent with its classical role in subduing liver yang and calming internal heat.

Each batch of Calcined Clam Shell Powder (Cyclina sinensis) is thoroughly cleaned, high-heat processed, and finely milled to preserve its pure white color, mineral density, and grounding energetic profile. When used in decoctions or mixed into liquid preparations, it produces a smooth, cooling mineral infusion traditionally used to calm rising heat, soften hardness, neutralize acidity, and anchor the spirit.